5X社区 invites all to pay tribute to those who have served in the U.S. armed forces and attend the university鈥檚 annual Veterans Day Commemoration. The event will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, at the Student Green on the Kent Campus. The Student Green is located in front of the Kent Student Center and Risman Plaza.
The program will include a flag-raising ceremony and posting of colors conducted by representatives from Kent State鈥檚 Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs; a bugler; the national anthem; an invocation; and welcome remarks from Kent State President Todd Diacon.
This year鈥檚 keynote speaker is Patricia 鈥淭rish鈥 McDaniel, Ph.D., a 1983 Kent State alumna and senior executive research scientist of chemistry in the U.S. Army. With the equivalent rank of a brigadier general, McDaniel is one of the highest-ranking senior executive scientists in the U.S. government. Her career spans more than 40 years and includes experience as a government scientist and industry leader.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Kent State in 1983, McDaniel began her technical career at NASA鈥檚 Langley Research Center as a chemist. During this time, she earned a Master of Science in Chemistry from Old Dominion University and later went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Science from William & Mary.
Today, McDaniel is leading a strategic interagency initiative in polymeric materials development for protection and sustainment. Her groundbreaking research and development in threat detection systems has played a crucial role in equipping the Department of Defense and law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to protect our communities from chemical and explosive dangers.
McDaniel also served as a technical advisor on the Department of Homeland Security Presidential Directive Team for the implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-19). This directive established national policy regarding terrorist use of explosives and domestic chemical defense within the United States. McDaniel鈥檚 contributions foster a safer society, both domestically and internationally.
Honoring Those Who Served
The outdoor commemoration pays tribute to all who served and are serving our nation in its armed forces. Those who are unable to attend the Nov. 10 event in person can watch it .
Veterans and service members are invited to enjoy lunch at noon in the Kent Student Center second-floor dining room. Then at 1 p.m., guests are invited to join the Kent State grounds team in planting daffodil bulbs behind Taylor Hall to honor the U.S. service personnel killed in Vietnam.
Kent State has been recognized for its unwavering commitment to supporting military-connected students. For 2025-2026, Kent State earned the Military Friendly庐 School designation for the 16th consecutive year, maintaining its Gold ranking. In addition, Kent State鈥檚 Collegiate Purple Star designation, first presented to the university in 2022 for its support for veteran and military students, has been renewed for three more years.
For more information about Kent State鈥檚 Veterans Day Commemoration, visit www.kent.edu/veteransday.
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Top Photo Caption:
Members of the 5X社区 Air Force and Army ROTC programs take part in the university鈥檚 2024 Veterans Day Commemoration. (Photo credit: Bob Christy, 5X社区)
Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595